India becomes the second largest producer of PPE in the World-
On 21st May 2020, India became the second largest producer of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in the World. China is the leading producer of PPE in the World. The Ministry of Textiles has been taking several measures to maintain the quality of PPE alongside manufacturing. Initially, India faced several challenges in increasing quality PPE products. This includes importing machines from China and also increasing prices. Apart from these, there were delay in imports and non-availability of domestic manufacturers. It is to be noted that the Textiles Committee recently launched the Synthetic Blood Penetration Testing Equipment. This will help increase PPE testing potential of the country.
6.8 crore free Cylinder distributed under Pradhan Mantri Ujjawala Yojana-
On 21st May 2020, the Government of India announced that around 6.8 crore free cylinders have been distributed under Pradhan Mantri Ujjawala Yojana. Under the Scheme, free LPG cylinders are being provided by Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. This covers more than 8 crore beneficiaries of Pradhan Mantri Ujjawala Yojana.
Rupees 170 crores pay out to MNREGA-
the Government of India disbursed rupees 170 crores to MNREGA workers. The amounts were disbursed to the beneficiaries through the Department of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj. The Department has taken up more than 14,000 development projects under MNREGA (Mahatama Gandhi Rural Employment Guarantee Act) since April 20, 2020. This includes 8300 Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana housing projects and 1670 water conservation projects. Around 5.28 lakh person days were created in Jammu and Kashmir alone.
Monetary Policy Statement 2020-21 released by RBI-
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has released its Monetary Policy Statement 2020-21 in Mumbai , Maharashtra. The three-day (May 20 to 22,2020) Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) virtual meeting by the 6 members was headed by RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das.
Highlights of the meet:-
–All members of the MPC unanimously voted to reduce the policy repo rate under the liquidity adjustment facility (LAF) to 4.0 % from 4.40%.
– RBI extends moratorium on loans for another 3 months till August 2020
– India’s 2020-21 GDP growth rate expected to be negative
– Reserve Bank infuses Rs 15,000-crore line of credit to EXIM Bank
– RBI increases export credit period to 15 months from 12 months
– Reserve bank grants Rs 15,000-crore refinance facility for SIDBI
– RBI eases CSF withdrawal rules ; arranges additional Rs 13,300 crore for states
– Industrial production decrease by 17 % in March with manufacturing activity down by 21 %
Union Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan participates in NAM health ministers meeting-
On 20th May 2020, Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare, Dr. Harsh Vardhan participated in the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Health Ministers meeting through video conference. The NAM Summit is organised in a time when international community faces a pandemic and the meeting was chaired by Minister of Health, Republic of Azerbaijan, Mr. Ogtay Shiraliyev
Local to Global: Khadi Masks to export in Foreign Markets-
Ministry of Commerce and Industries lifted the ban on export of non-medical/ non-surgical masks of all types. KVIC has already developed double layered cotton masks and triple-layered silk face masks. Cotton acts as a mechanical barrier while silk is an electrostatic barrier.
Everybody will get employment scheme is to be launch by Madhya Pradesh Government-
Madhya Pradesh State Government is to launch Everybody will get employment scheme. The scheme will be inaugurated by Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan through video conferencing. Under this scheme, Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA) job cards will be distributed to the labourers. The scheme aims to provide employment to migrant labourers and those who have gone out of the state in search of employment, in their village and gram panchayat area itself.